Pipe Volume Calculator | Free Construction Calculators

Calculate the volume of water that a pipe can hold based on diameter and length.

Common Pipe Sizes

  • 1/2 inch: Common for fixtures, holds ~0.028 gal/ft
  • 3/4 inch: Main water supply, holds ~0.061 gal/ft
  • 1 inch: Large supply lines, holds ~0.11 gal/ft
  • 1-1/2 inch: Drain lines, holds ~0.25 gal/ft
  • 2 inch: Main drains, holds ~0.43 gal/ft
  • 3 inch: Sewer lines, holds ~0.98 gal/ft
  • 4 inch: Main sewer, holds ~1.73 gal/ft

Volume Formula

V = π × r² × L

Where V = volume, r = radius, L = length

Why Calculate Pipe Volume?

  • Drainage time: Estimate how long to drain a system
  • Freeze protection: Calculate antifreeze needed
  • Chemical treatment: Determine treatment volumes
  • System capacity: Size pumps and storage tanks
  • Hot water systems: Calculate recovery time

Conversions

  • 1 cubic foot: 7.48 gallons
  • 1 cubic foot: 1,728 cubic inches
  • 1 gallon: 231 cubic inches
  • 1 cubic yard: 202 gallons

Practical Applications

  • Sizing expansion tanks for water heaters
  • Calculating drain time for pools or tanks
  • Determining chemical dosing for pipe treatment
  • Sizing irrigation system reservoirs
  • Estimating water waste from leaks